Ethan's going to be three next week, and I never published this post from when he was two and a half. I guess I was waiting to put in photos, but clearly that's not happening.....It's amazing how much has changed just in the few short months since I'd written this post. So here it is...long and without photos...
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Our little dude is just getting so big. Two and a half! He's got such a gentle spirit. So kind and loving.
At his 30 month appointment, he'd grown about two inches and gained about two pounds. His cheeks are filling about a bit. His blonde hair is getting smidgen darker (although who knows what will happen when it meets the sun again). At his 2.5 year check up, I made it all the way to the end of the 3 year old development sheet. He wanted the PA to read to him, which of course he obliged. He was thrilled with how much Ethan liked to read, and how many animals he could name (Seriously, he has no idea the list of animals that he can rattle off). We were just thrilled that his growth is back on track.
I have to say that I think his Little Gym classes are to thank for a lot of the gross motor skills items that I was able to check off that development list. Things like jumping over objects and galloping. He is learning so many skills there. He can do forward rolls (he could barely do them in Jan, but now he rocks them) and monkey jumps (hands on the floor, legs jumping). He is gaining the bravery to get up on the low beam by himself and even attempts to walk it himself. His favorite is doing "basket hangs" on the bar ..they put fake groceries on his belly...he thinks it's hysterical when he "drops the eggs." And of course, there's jumping. He loves to jump off high platforms onto the mat. It's his absolute favorite.
In the fall, we took part in a four week Family Place program at the library. It was playtime for kids, but there were child development experts there to talk about a variety of things from play to nutrition. One of the experts was actually able to solve our 27 months of sleeping problems. If I ever cross her path again, I seriously owe that woman dinner. Amazing. Turns out we needed to sit down and talk with him about why he needed to let us sleep, why he need sleep, and to provide him with items that he thought that he "needed" at night. So his "dream light" turtle to act as a flashlight, some books, some stuffed animals...In case he needed to talk to them. Suddenly, our waking and crying and need for mommy at night dwindled away, and he falls asleep by himself now. For awhile, the books were really really important and very specific. Then for awhile, it was the stuffed animals. So many "friends" that practically formed a cocoon around him at night. Now it's just specific blankets and all the friends at the foot of the bed. Maybe 2 or 3 friends get to be up by his head. Gotta watch though, sometimes he says "they're bothering me!" As time has gone on, sleep has improved--for all of us. He still may wake up once or twice a night if he needs tucked back in. His favorite sleep position is on his belly in a tight little fetal position...his feet crossing over each other under his bottom. So cute. He sleeps all the way up at the end of his crib, his head usually smack against the crib rail.
So diapers. Ethan started potty training in January. He's still not the greatest at letting us know he has to go, but he has the rest of the routine down. Baby steps. He can pull his pants on now, and he flips his coat on over his head with much speed and grace these days. He's also starting to get the putting on a shirt thing down. It makes him really proud when he puts his jammies on by himself at night.
He loves songs and music. Besides of course, Yellow Submarine, his newer favorite is Queen's Bicycle....and "Rock You." This winter we started taking some music classes at Gymboree. I wanted to give him some opportunity to hear some different music and to practice listening and rhythm. He learned the Queen songs there. I love that he can tap out the "short, short, long" rhythm of We Will Rock You. It's awesome. I've definitely seen growth from the classes, although we're not taking them this spring. Regardless, it's been a good experience. Surprisingly enough, his favorite songs besides Queen he learned were actually from the Asian music week. A song about a frog and the frog says "Gero gero gero gero, Gua gua gua." (or something like that!) and "See the hungry dog, sitting all alone. Waiting just to chew, on a juicy bone."
In daycare, he's in Young Preschool. He started there in October, I believe. It was a great move for him. I can never believe how much he learns. All the times when I think I'm teaching him a new word, and he already knows it. Or he sings a song I didn't know he'd heard. Or talks about a book we've never read together. It's really cool. OH, and he actually EATS there...and even tries some carrots and broccoli from time to time. Not a home. No sir. My favorite is when I pick him up...and the interactions he has with his friends. He has to run around and hug every friend. He even has to visit other classrooms on many days before he will leave. And I love when he has "conversations" with his friends. It's priceless. His vocabulary is so big, and his words are very clear. He frequently says more complex thinks like "I would like it if we could..." instead of "I want..." He asks all sorts of detailed questions about the things he sees.
Other favorites of Ethan's? Zooming cars. He has I dunno, 100+ cars and trains? And he zooms them from one end of the house to the other, one at time, and lines them all up in a neat little row. Many times they're sorted, by color or type. With all those cars, he knows when one is missing. He had me searching the house high and low the other day because Finn McMissle was missing...and he just couldn't rest until he was found. Zooming cars however, is an activity that he's happy doing independently The new found independence is amazing for all of us.
He still feels the need to fill up his "Ethan bag" (a bag with his photo on it from daycare when he was 15 months old) when he leaves in the car, no matter how short the drive. More often than not, it needs filled with cars or animals. Always has to have a BLUE sippy cup with a blue lid of "chocolate milk" in the car (no more Nuks in the car!). All "chocolate milk" (Pediasure) has to be in a blue cup with a blue lid. Sometimes it has to be poured in a special way (A little more, a little more, two little more...It's his way). And the garage door. Ethan has to be the one to push the button to open and close it. Just don't think of forgetting to let him do it.
All pancakes must be cut with cookie cutter in the shape of a "Frosty" (as in, the snowman). If you ask him what he wants for dinner, he'll probably answer "snacks." Stuff he may or may not eat: Pretzels (soft or hard), Noodles with Parmesan cheese, chicken nuggets (especially from Wendy's), vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles, peanut butter, hamburger beef, tacos (especially from Taco Bell or La Cocina)--just the meat with cheese, hummus, salsa (even if it's a little spicy), sushi (Seriously, he picked off the rice and avocado) and wasabi (Ok, he only had it once, but it has to make the list for the coolness factor), guacamole, goldfish crackers, grilled cheese (with tomato soup if we're lucky), baby yogurt with sprinkles, corn bread, mandarin oranges, pears, strawberries, peaches, and apple slices.
He's a stickering machine. He used to place them in one big stack in the middle of his paper, but now he spreads them out...almost with precision, equal distances apart from each other. He'd sticker all day if you let him. His sticker creations are actually quite amazing. His counting is improving quite a bit, and he's very interested in letters. He loves to watch Scholastic's books on DVD, and Disney and Pixar movies. Loves to be read to. He'll bring a huge pile to read and just sit. He thinks it's very cool to borrow books from the library.
Teeth brushing is quite the complicated ordeal at our house. Ethan has three toothbrushes that we just can't get rid of (Although I have traded them out for the exact same ones already). One is Elmo, one has a hippo on it, and the other has Tow Mater from Cars. He brushes with each one, on his own, with training toothpaste. Then we put on "blue toothpaste"--the real kid's fluoride kind. He brushes with one, and then we brush for him with the other two. Seriously, such an ordeal twice a day. But that's how he is..each of those brushes is just too important to his little toddler heart. Next time he goes to the dentist, I'm going to have to call ahead and tell them not to give him a brush or we'll have to deal with four brushes!! (Seriously, I'm not kidding).
So big, but still my baby boy. For the first time in his whole life, baby included, he digs cuddling. Sitting on a lap on the couch or laying on the bed snuggling. If I lay next to him, his ear looks the exact same to me as it did two and a half years ago. And he has a cute little mole on his right cheekbone. He finds a lot of comfort in holding hands. Always did as an infant too. He often wants to hold hands in the car (Ugh- makes for tired arms). He calms himself by very gently rubbing the tips of his little fingers on the palm of his hand, or rubbing together his finger tips. Love that. Just like when he was an infant, he still likes to bury his face in my hands when he's tired.
Because I'm Two
I need to continue with the last post because of course, there is more to add.
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| Ethan insists on having Peanut Butter on a spoon before he and Daddy mow...EVERY time. |
He loves to make up words...because he thinks it's funny. The one that really stuck is "nin-ya." It all started one day when I asked him to give me a high-five and he said "That's not a high-five, that's a ninya" Ok, I'm still not sure what a ninya is, but it makes him crack up if you ask "What's a ninya?" For awhile I thought it was when he pushes his face into your hand instead of actually giving the high-five, but I'm not sure! It's a bit of an inconsistency, but it's quite funny! He likes to make jokes, and sometimes, he's quite good at it. It's fantastic. Sometimes he makes up songs to go with the made up words. Other times, he just makes up songs. I think I mentioned in the last post...he sings a lot.
Another big word that's making a presence this week is "because." "I don't want this one because it's too big." Yup. I love it. Hearing toddler rational is fascinating. Similarly, he's using "so that." "...so that Ethan can do it." The other thing I love hearing is when Ethan calls people "silly." He says it more like SIL-ly. Like when I work Charlie's flip flops he says "Silly Mommy, those are Daddy's shoes!" Really, it's the best. Having a hard time getting it on video though. Nothing like getting out the camera to halt an activity.
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| Having fun at Little Gym |
This month or so he's really mastered skipping. Now he skips just about everywhere. It's awesome and fun to watch. He looks so happy to be flying through the air like that. And fast.
His favorite color is blue. It's evident that he favors blue (he downright refuses to drink chocolate milk from anything but a blue sippy cup with a blue lid). And of course, that's what he'll tell you if you ask him. He'll also tell you that he likes purple. He also seems to favor green. The artist in me thinks it's quite interesting how they're all cool colors.
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| HAD to have one of EVERY drink in the fridge. If you're wondering if I taught him that...I did not. (I made the same request as a toddler) He even sips them on after the next the same way. |
Not so favorite? Buttons. Not sure why, but he's got quite the aversion to buttons. For days he refused to wear a pair of carpenter shorts because they had buttons on them. I have to unbutton the flap to hide the button or he won't wear them. I took him cloths shopping with me and he starts very firmly telling me "I DON"T LIKE those button pants!" I wasn't even looking at the pants...I guess they were breathing his air? He even reiterated it to Charlie when we got home and we told him that we'd been shopping for cloths. I'll tell you what...it's been a challenge to find clothing for the cooler weather with out buttons. I sure hope this phase is over soon! Wonder what he'd do if we crafted with buttons.
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| Ethan and Lilly (and some random guy) |
OBSESSED with Matchbox Cars. He calls them just that, "Matchbox cars." Obsessed. He always liked them, but since we got a bunch more at the yard sales on Labor Day he has to take them everywhere. He loads them into his "Ethan bag" (the one that came with last years school photos--Ethan's big smile on the front), and lugs them around the house, in the car, next to the bathtub, outside, on the bed. Wherever Ethan goes. They fill the bag, and he will tell you that it is to heavy for him to carry. It really is--just about pulls him over. He especially likes to play with them on the other yard sale find, a Fisher Price garage. You have to be very careful though, he'll tell you "No, those are mine. I got them at the yard sale." Very protective. Oh yeah, and he "zooms" them. Not drive, "zooms." It's a much more fun adverb anyway.
Oh, and don't try to peel his banana for him. He can do it...he is two you know!
Growing up so fast!
It's been a wild summer, but we've officially crossed the two year old mark! Amazing. Some days it feels like the time went so fast, and other times it feels like he's actually 3. Definitely not a baby anymore.
The biggest most obvious thing to report is that Ethan is one heck of a talker. That's really par for the course for him, but his speech is definitely a notable quality of his. At his two year check-up, the pediatrician almost fell off his stool when he heard Ethan start talking. All Ethan said was "Where are we going?" You know, typical Ethan speak. The pediatrician said that sentence structure and clarity of speech is more that of a three year old (yup, knew that). I have a theory that he has always slept so little that he's probably had the equivalent awake time of a 3 year old...making his total language exposure that of a three. I laugh about it..but there may be some truth there? Of course, I know that there are many other things at play here. I used to dream before Ethan was born that I had a talking infant. Funny how that's not too far from the truth.
Common Ethan phrases lately? "I'm sorry but..." As in "I'm sorry Mommy but we're going to Aldi first THEN we're going to Panera." If he doesn't like what you're doing he'll say "Mommy, STOP!" (I hear that a lot) or "Walk away!" (I think that's a daycare thing). "I do it like a big boy" is one I hear a lot too. He frequently says "Can we...?" using the "we" even if he means "I." He says "excuse me" if you or any of your items are in his way. And "I dunno" which sounds more like "I duhn-no" is the response to everything, know it or not. He says it a lot!
It's typical for Ethan to speak in 8-9 word sentences. Often one sentence is followed by another that continues his thought. He has a good grasp on chronology: First, I'll do this. Next, I'll do that. Then I'll do that. He asks questions and asks you to define words that he doesn't know. He narrates his play (which is very cute). This week I picked him up at daycare and he was sitting with two younger kids around as he "read" them a story...pointing out objects that were on the page and telling the boys about them. He knows a lot of songs and rhymes in completion...occasionally teaching me some that I don't know. Last week he sang the whole "Ba Ba Black Sheep" for his whole class and yesterday he went over to the infant room for a visit and sang it for the babies.
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| Ethan's birthday |
Speaking of daycare, Ethan is back to being the oldest kid in his class again. Not sure when he'll change classes again, but he is definitely ready. I'm still getting feedback from his teachers about how absolutely interested he is in everything they do. That's been the story since he's been in the infant room, but it really describes Ethan's attention. There were two projects in the classroom yesterday that sparked his teacher to comment on it again. First, they were making "duck feet" prints using a spatula. He was totally into the project, and on his own he decided to quack every time he hit the paper with the spatula. She said he had a blast. Then when I got there, they were putting stickers on paper. He was on his second sheet and he was so into it. His friends all barely finished a sheet of stickers before they got bored and were on to the next. She pegged it when she said "he's just so curious about everything."
We're happy to report that Ethan is both eating and sleeping better lately. We had some bumps in the sleeping road between the move and cutting that last set of molars (yup, last set done at 24 months. Pure crazyness, but a happy end), but things have been better--most nights. Still have our share of nights where we're up a few times between 1:30 and 3:30. Bedtime is later now pushed back about an hour to between 9 and 9:30. That's been nice for everyone and makes the evening so much less rushed. It helped back up wake up time from 5:30am to 6 or 6:30 am, although lately he sometimes even makes it until 7!!! OMG that is pure heaven. Naps are longer although it's still a juggling act to get him to fall sleep. He's eating better. Possibly his favorite thing right now are mandarin oranges. I think he could turn into one. He loves beef and chicken nuggets. Sometimes he loves fries. He's hit or miss really. Loves it one minute, doesn't want anything to do with it the next. What he doesn't like is anything with a skin (like blueberries or grapes). He picks his food apart and pulls off pieces saying "that's yucky." He's growing taller and gaining weight, but he's still wearing those 12 month shorts, 2T shirts, and size 7 shoes. We've also successfully stopped his acid reflux medication which is pretty cool. Definitely makes travel easier when we don't have medication that needs refrigerated (and remembered)! And although he exercises his two year old right to push buttons and boundaries, he really is well behaved. I hear it from strangers in public all the time. He really does try hard and knows how to behave. Also in two year old style, many many times a day I have to undo what I did to let Ethan do it. Close the door I just opened so that Ethan can open it. It's the way of the world. Pushing the garage door button (both in the garage and in the car) is a real big deal. Seriously, it's a big deal. Don't forget that it's Ethan's job. In fact, he was sleep talking/yelling about it the other day. It's that important.
Things Ethan loves right now. Puzzles or any toy he can play pretend with. Everyday on the way to daycare he talks about how he's going to do puzzles. We get home and he wants to do puzzles. He loves to pretend in his playhouse outside. He climbs on his castle climber and pretends the ship wheel is a car steering wheel. He drives to the "chicken nugget store" and takes the chicken back to his playhouse. He makes dinner on his play grill and picnics inside with his play food. He really likes to read. He easily sits through reading a whole book...even long ones like Corduroy. There are lots of books that he "reads" to us because he knows them so well. Possibly one of his favorite things is mowing with the bubble mower. It's not about the bubbles. If the bubbles run out it doesn't matter. It's about the mowing. He mows with a pattern. Straight lines along the edge of the fence and up and down the lawn. Last night he mowed right along side Daddy for an entire hour. It's big business for him. Also, he can't stop talking about Knoebels. He loved it there. He likes to watch the episode of Kipper where he goes to a fair. He calls it "Knoebles Kipper." He also likes to watch Bob the Builder and Driver Dan right now. Likes Wheel of Fortune too if I can remember it's on. He likes to hear the letters called out and will repeat "Two R's!" with excitement.
He's able to peddle his trike a little bit (although steering is hard). He's getting better at putting on his pants and shirt by himself. He told his teacher last week that he wants to be a teacher. So I asked him "Why do you want to be a teacher?" He said "So I can open doors." (Because only teachers are allowed to open the classroom door at school). Well, he's honest...and tricky! He's working on coming down the stairs "like a big boy." He holds the railing and comes down very carefully on his feet. Last night he did it for the first time and was so proud of himself. OH, and he does crazy things like climb playground climbers (5 years and up playground rating--ha!)
Oh yeah, and did I mention that we moved. ;) New grown up house. Lots of play space inside and out. Big back yard with a fence. Of course, within a week Ethan had figured out how to work the gate latch. #gatefail. We're loving our place in suburbia. Sidewalks, driveway, shed, two car garage, finished basement elementary school playground down the street. And did I mention there's no HOA? :) Compared to our old place it always seem so quiet!
So that's "lately" in a big nutshell
Yikes- It's not June anymore!
I started this post in June (23months)...it's no longer June, but here it is anyway (a bit dated). Working on a new update, but still want to get this recorded because there's some cute stuff here.
More things Ethan says:
"Animals get haircut sometimes too Mommy"
More things Ethan says:
"Animals get haircut sometimes too Mommy"
"Good job folds pants Mommy!"
"What are you building (with MegaBlocks)?" "I build chicken nugget"
"Ethan, you have the best little voice" "THANKS!"
"Ethan, are you a fruit snack." "No, fruit snack boy!"
In the car the day after my birthday, Ethan randomly says "Happy Birthday Mommy" in care-filled tone. I say "thank you" and say to Charlie "Aww, that was sweet enough to make me cry." Ethan replies "Are you ok, Mommy?"
"Turn off DreamLights (a commercial)--It's Kipper's turn!" (Kipper is a cartoon Ethan watches before bed)
Ethan got a new friend at school recently. His teacher told us that he was especially good at welcoming him and that he was very good at helping him learn the rules. She also has been telling us stories about some things that he will do during the day that she finds especially "neat." This week he spent a half hour on the playground putting little objects (stones, leaves, etc) on the wheel of a flipped over bicycle. He arrange them, spin the wheel, watch them fall off, repeat. She said his friends thought it was a cool thing to do, but they would mimic him for a few minutes and leave. But not Ethan, he stuck with it for the duration of the time on the playground. He's also known there for really being interested in any task or lesson plan that they do. He's always interested and he always sticks with it until they're done. It's funny--his infant room teacher used to say the same thing when he was there.
Ethan started in the "Beasts" class at Little Gym. He's actually well over due to move up (by about 7 months), but we liked the group of kids and the small class that he was in before, so we were reluctant to move him up. Now that the semester is over and the smaller summer classes are starting, it seemed like a perfect time.
The Things He Says
I swear that Ethan's speech has improved ten-fold in the last week or two. Incredible the things he's talking about. And asking so many questions--"Where are the cars going?" "Where is Daddy?" "What is the doggy doing?"
But some things he's saying lately really stick out. Here's a collection:
- In the car with Daddy on the way to get ice cream Ethan exclaims: "No poopies in the ice cream store! Now sing Farmer in the Dell!"
- On where my Mother's Day flowers came from: "The flower store. Daddy said. Ethan get them."
- Getting ready to leave in the morning: "Bye Daddy! I'm going to get breakfast!" "Where?" "School!"
- After I bring over a try of french fries: "Is that ketchup!?!"
- Pointing at a drive-thru: "This car is paying!"
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| Helping with the guacamole |
Yesterday morning Ethan was wearing a Super Grover t-shirt. I don't know why it came up, probably something with Sprout and how they show birthdays, but we were talking about birthdays. And I offhandedly asked Ethan if today was Grover's birthday. He said it was. So when I dropped him off at daycare and he was not wanting me to leave, I suggested that he tell Jen about Grover's birthday. I didn't anything of it. Last night in the tub, he was singing Happy Birthday over and over again, substituting different names of people. It seemed a bit random to us, but Ethan often sings random songs. This morning when I dropped him off, somehow it came up and it turns out that all day yesterday he was talking about how it was Grover's birthday. So the teacher ran with it, and they sang Happy Birthday all day. Sure explains a lot! He's a funny guy :)
Another story: I had commented in the last post about Ethan's crazy memory. Here's a good example: Maybe two weekends ago Ethan and I were outside and he wanted some strawberries. When I came out with them, he said he wanted to have a picnic. Ok, in I go for a blanket to spread on the grass. As soon as I walk out the door with it he yells "NO! Cow blanket." Cow blanket? We have a cow blanket? Hmmmm... Think, think think. Only thing I can think of is the old "Lions and Tigers and Bears- oh my!" blanket. Only animal blanket we have (besides baby blankets). I have no idea where it is either--we haven't used it since last FALL. Maybe 7 months ago? I go in and start searching the house. The whole time Ethan keeps repeating "Cow blanket! Cow blanket!" I finally find it. The animal blanket. Low and behold, it was the blanket he had so intently in his mind. It doesn't have cows on it, but it does have a whole bunch of different jungle animals on it. I have no idea how he remembered it existed...but he did. And now it's back to being the "Lions, Tigers, and Bears" blanket and all is right with the world.
One last thing: I love when Ethan reads to us. He's been doing that a lot lately. He was starting to stall out in the video (by the time I got the camera)...but it's pretty typical of Ethan's storytelling.
Mother's Day
Yesterday was Mother's day, and it was fantastic enough to get it's own blog post. I actually have to start with Saturday when Ethan was chatting on and on in the car on the way to Little Gym (as he often does in the car). He says to me "I your cutie pie Mommy....Mommy my cutie pie too." Awww!!
Mother's Day--The plan was that I was going to be able to sleep in. I was excited for the prospect, but last Mother's day I was gifted the same luxury and it was a bust. I seem to remember that I couldn't sleep. But this year, it all went according to plan. Ethan slept straight through the night and came over with us in the morning around 5:30 (as he normally does). When he woke up at 6, Charlie took him downstairs to get his "chocolate milk" and they cuddled in on the couch. Turns out, they both fell back asleep too. So I continued to sleep, in quiet, until I heard Ethan around 9 (about 5 minutes after they had woken up).
Shortly there after, the boys headed out to the grocery store and I had just enough time to do a few quick garden tasks (a few things that I have been itching to do and can't do with a little person around) and shower at my own pace. When I went downstairs, Ethan was standing proudly holding some flowers (I apparently didn't hear him yell "Mommy, flowers!" when he came in the door). Ethan picked out these flowers for me because he told Charlie that "Mommy likes purple." Ethan had carried the flowers to the car from the flower shop, and into the house from the car. Charlie said he carried them like a "man on a mission." He was taking "Mommy's special day" very seriously. Cute back-story: While they were at the grocery store, Charlie told Ethan they were getting stuff to make a special breakfast for Mommy. While they were in the baking isle, Ethan went up to the box of blueberry pancakes and said "Mommy would like these." He's always so thoughtful--and I do really enjoy blueberry pancakes.
Charlie made me special berry baked oatmeal (Yum!!) while Ethan spent a good 20 minutes just reading books to me. "This one is a tow truck." "This one is white." "Pig over there." He read me dozens of books.
After everyone was done and cleaned up, we headed out to the Make-A-Wish Truck Convoy. I couldn't think of anything better to do for Mother's Day than to watch Ethan have a good time. The weather was beautiful (bordering a bit on the too warm side actually) and sunny. Ethan got to ride a school bus for the first time. He was so overwhelmed by all the trucks, and he was all business. Seeing all the trucks was serious work! We walked around and checked out some of the trucks (there were 336 total--a little boy's dream), and watched the convoy leave. He sat up on our shoulders and described the trucks as they went by. Sometimes he'd say "Goodbye fire truck!" and wave emphatically.
After all the trucks had left, we sat in the grass and ate french fries before riding the bus back to the parking lot. Ethan was delightful. He was so good the whole time we were there, despite not napping. I still can't help but thinking how amazing it is that he ate all those fries with ketchup on them and didn't get a drop of ketchup on himself or his daddy (whose lap he was sitting in)...but that's my Ethan.
It was now around 3pm and he fell asleep right away in the car, and took a good nap when we got home. Ethan was smiling in his sleep--knowing Ethan, he was dreaming about trucks. In the meantime, I had time to eat a bit and read.
When Ethan woke up, we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house for dinner and he played with his cousins. My favorite moment was when he went to see three month old baby Seth. Seth was sad and crying and Ethan instinctively started gently patting him on the back. He always knows just what to do and acts with such compassion. Then to home and to bed.
Good day. Thanks to my boys for making it so special :)
Mr. Chatterbox
Having a toddler who is rapidly approaching two and is very verbal is a crazy thing. Sometimes I think we're practicing for the teenage years...We also just got off what seemed like a very long week and a half battling Rosiola. Of course, Rosiola is one of those illnesses that you don't know that you have until it's almost over. And of course, Ethan's weak tummy is evident every time he gets any kind of illness. We peaked fevers of 104.7 with medication. Crazy! Also got his third chest x-ray of his lifetime. If there's one thing we do know, it's that he has good looking lungs!
But that aside, Ethan impresses us on an almost daily basis. His memory amazes us. He remembers everything. Seriously, everything. The littlest or oddest details. I can't even begin...and the things that come out of his mouth crazy too.
Last week he turns to me and says "I have two Grandmas. *thinking pause* And two Grandpas." He was pretty proud that he'd figured that out. Heck, I was proud. He repeated it a few times last week. It broke down a bit though when he said "I have two Grandmas. And two Grandpas. And two Keiths." No buddy, one Uncle Keith. ;)
He's working really hard to describe things. He'll say "There are three grey birds." "I want the green one." His quick descriptions like that are correct maybe half of the time. Sometimes the color is wrong. Sometimes the number is wrong. But he sure does try! A truck can't just be a truck. It has to be a "tanker truck" or a "flatbed truck." He wears his "blue shoes" or his "brown shoes." (When we went to replace his blue shoes last week, he saw the same pair on the shelf and we just had to get a new pair of blue shoes...no other shoes would do). He'll tell you "I saw an airplane" or "I hear an airplane. Far away." When we park in a parking spot he'll say "We're next to blue pickup and red car. Right there!" Last week I asked him to do something and he said "Chocolate milk first." My favorite thing he says is still "Carry you" when he wants carried. I also think it's really cute that he starts sentences with "I wonder." "I wonder the race car is." The other day it rained and the first thing he told me when I got to daycare to pick him up was "No outside today!" (like he was telling on them for not taking him outside!)
He likes to make up words too. He sometimes calls his Nuk "Nukie." He got a stuffed frog/dinosaur thing from our photo session the other night and he randomly named it "Frogga." He loves that thing now.
I've been working really hard to teach Ethan that he's not allowed in the road. Now he says "Mommies (or Daddies) in the road. NO babies in the road!" The other day there was a dog on our road and he said "No doggies on the road!"
Last night Ethan had spaghetti for dinner. That doesn't sound like a big deal, but we have had the only toddler in the world that doesn't like noodles. Recently he's just picked at them, but in the last week he's been really digging noodles. I had initially cut his noodles, but he made it very clear that he had to have big noodles (just like Daddy had to open a new bag of tortilla chips last week because he needed a "big chip").He had spaghetti, and then he switched to the noodles without sauce. My favorite part was when his imagination took over. He held up one of his noodles and it had a bit of an S-curve to it. He says to me "A SEAHORSE!" Right on buddy--sure does look like a seahorse! He was pulling the noodles around on his place mat making shapes and he said "A sun!" I showed him how to put a noodle under his nose to make a mustache like Grandpa. Oh, good times!
And as always, he's such a good friend. I've been told that he is the kid who is friends with everyone at daycare, and who everyone wants to play with. He is, as always, also really good with the younger kids. The one younger girl didn't want to come in from the playground and Ethan went and took her hand and brought her in. I'm also told that he likes when they are out on the playground with the Young Preschool group because "There are a lot more girls in that class." Apparently he likes to run after them. I'm not surprised. The same thing happens at Little Gym. Watch out ladies! He's also really good with the younger kids at Little Gym. He likes to try and make them laugh and smile. :)
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